Root of theory :- To be comfortable INTPs ideally require a certain level of a structured environment. Pure chaos is not healthy for them. This is contrary to their nature as often stated though. I'm theorising that this is not just INTPs who have this need which is contra to their natural behaviour.
That's a good piece of information, though I wonder if that's just an INTP thing.
As a parent, I was taught by "family experts" that all children need a
certain amount of structure in their lives in order to feel safe and secure emotionally as well as physically. I was encouraged as a parent to have a set bedtime schedule for my children, to tell them the rules ahead of time, etc.
Reading what I have about the effects that the chaotic environment of having an alcoholic in the family creates, I find it easy to believe that
complete chaos and unpredictability is damaging to children, and probably most people in general.
Dr. Dobson says that it is neither good to be too strict nor too lenient.
So based on the Ni I have collected, I would agree that "pure chaos" is not good for INTPs, or anyone, really. As a child, I appreciated a little leniency when I got it, but my most favorite teacher was the one who was the strictest, and ran his class with a rod of iron. I much prefered predictability over chaos, so I think that disagrees with you question that INTJs "need" their opposite preferred environment.
I mean I'm a J because I prefer J. I don't need P. I dislike it immensely, actually.